Barack Obama actually said...

"He really enjoyed those events and feels like it's important for him to have those opportunities to get out and talk about what can seem like pretty esoteric and arcane policy debates in Washington."

"The Syrian people have called for the freedoms that all individuals around the world should enjoy: freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and the ability to freely choose their leaders..."

"We call on President Asad to change course now and heed the calls of his own people."

"The United States will continue to stand up for democracy and the universal rights that all human beings deserve in Syria and around the world."